Derbyshire county cricket preview: New signings, released players, fixtures, predictions
EXPRESS SPORT is previewing the county cricket season which starts this Friday and today we start with Derbyshire.
Wayne Madsen will be crucial to Derbyshire with the bat this season
Derbyshire
Last season
CC D2- 9th, 0 wins.
RLODC- Group stage, 7th.
T20- Group stage, 7th.
New signings
Gary Wilson (Surrey) – vice captain, three-year deal.
Luis Reece (Lancashire)- two-year deal.
Hardus Viljoen (Kent, Kolpak)- three-year deal.
Daryn Smit (SA, Eng passport) – two-year deal.
Imran Tahir will play for Derbyshire in the second half of the county season
Imran Tahir is one of the best leg spinners in the world and we're very excited to have him at Derbyshire
Players out
Callum Parkinson (Leicestershire)
Wes Durston (released)
Chesney Hughes (released)
Harry White (released)
Neil Broom (released)- left early to play for NZ
Overseas stars
Jeevan Mendis (SL) Until June all formats.
Imran Tahir (SA) all formats from June if not playing for SA.
Matt Henry (NZ) – whole T20 Blast
Club Captain
Billy Godleman
Key man
Wayne Madsen – the experienced batsman has been with the county since 2009 and is a vital part of the side in both Championship and one-day cricket.
England radar
Harvey Hosein – impressive young wicket keeper who showcased his batting talent in the final game of last season with a century and a 50 in each innings.
Young gun
Matt Critchley – the leg-spinner will be able to learn from one of the best in Imran Tahir in the second half of the season.
This season's predictions
CCD2- 9th
RLODC- Group stage
T20 Blast- Group stage
Derbyshire captain Billy Godleman is key in the County Championship
Derbyshire have announced a brand new coaching set-up for this season with former captain Kim Barnett as director of cricket and John Wright, Steve Stubbings and Mal Loye supporting him.
A change as big as that will take it’s time to bed in so success may not be immediate but expect a push in both the T20 Blast and Royal London One Day Cup.
Jeevan Mendis and particularly Imran Tahir are strong overseas signings and the acquisitions of Hardus Viljoen and Daryn Smit may prove to be shrewd pieces of business.
First fixture
CC- Northamptonshire at home, Friday 14th April
RLODC- Durham away, Thursday 27th April
T20 Blast- Northamptonshire away, Friday 7th July